Power folding seat

ABSTRACT

A power folding seat for installation within a vehicle includes a seat cushion mountable to the vehicle, a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion, and a power actuator disposed within the seat back for automatically rotating the seat back between an upright position and a folded position. The power actuator includes a power seat recliner, a latch assembly, a power head restraint adjuster, and a control system coupled to the power seat recliner, the latch assembly, and the power head restraint adjuster. The control system includes a signal receiver which is configured to receive commands from a remote transmitter, and a data processor coupled to the signal receiver. The data processor controls the power seat recliner, the power latch actuator and the power head restraint adjuster, and is configured to move the scat back between the upright position and the folded position in accordance with the received remote commands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a folding seat for automobiles.In particular, the present invention relates to an automobile seat whoseseat back automatically rotates between an upright and a folded positionunder electrical power.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Conventional rear seats for an automotive vehicle include a seatcushion and a seat back disposed adjacent the rear cargo area of theautomobile. The seat back is pivotally coupled to the seat cushion toallow the seat back to be rotated from an upright position to a foldedposition, and thereby extend the effective volume of the rear cargoarea. The seat back also includes a latch which secures the seat back inthe upright position.

[0005] Although rear folding seats are widely used for facilitating rearpassenger occupancy and for extending the effective cargo area of anautomobile, the conventional automobile seat is difficult to operate.For instance, if the automobile owner has returned from a shopping tripcarrying several packages for storage in the rear cargo area of theautomobile, the owner must first drop the packages, and then open eitherthe rear passenger doors or the rear cargo door of the automobile inorder to manually release the seat latch. If the automobile is a sportcoupe having only two doors, the automobile owner must slide the frontpassenger seats forward to gain assess to the rear folding seat, andthen climb into the rear seat in order to release the rear seat latch.The automobile owner must then manually rotate the seat back into thefolded position, and then return to the rear portion of the automobilein order to store the packages in the rear cargo area.

[0006] Therefore, there remains a need for an automobile seat whichallows the effective rear cargo area of an automobile to beautomatically accessible as needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to the present invention there is provided a powerfolding seat for installation within a vehicle. The seat includes a seatcushion mountable to the vehicle, a seat back pivotally coupled to theseat cushion, and a power actuator disposed within the seat back forautomatically rotating the seat back between an upright position and afolded position.

[0008] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, theseat back also includes an adjustable head restraint. The power actuatorincludes a power seat recliner, a latch assembly, a power head restraintadjuster, and a control system coupled to the power seat recliner, thelatch assembly, and the power head restraint adjuster.

[0009] The power seat recliner comprises a prime mover and a gear traincoupled between the prime mover and a fixed pivot pin on the vehicle forrotating the seat back between the upright position and the foldedposition. The latch assembly comprises a mechanical seat latch forsecuring the seat back in the upright position and a power latchactuator coupled to the mechanical seat latch and configured tomanipulate the mechanical seat latch between a cinched or latchedposition and a released position. The power head restraint adjustercomprises a prime mover and a gear coupled between the prime mover andthe head restraint for moving the head restraint vertically between anextended position and a retracted position.

[0010] The control system includes a signal receiver which is configuredto receive commands from a remote transmitter, and a data processorcoupled to the signal receiver. Typically, the remote transmittercomprises a key fob fitted with a wireless transmitter. The dataprocessor controls the power seat recliner, the power latch actuator andthe power head restraint adjuster (if provided), and is configured tomove the seat back between the upright position and the folded positionin accordance with the received remote commands.

[0011] According to the present invention there is also provided amethod for automatically rotating a seat back of an automobile seatbetween an upright position and a folded position. The seat back ispivotally coupled to the automobile, and includes a power seat reclinerfor rotating the seat back between the upright position and the foldedposition, a mechanical seat latch for securing the seat back in theupright position, a power latch actuator configured to manipulate themechanical seat latch between a cinched or latched position and areleased position, and a control system coupled to the power seatrecliner and the power latch actuator. The method includes the steps of(1) receiving a remote user command requesting operation of the seatback; and (2) actuating the power seat recliner and the power latchactuator to rotate the seat back under vehicle power in accordance withthe received remote user command.

[0012] Typically, the remote user commands comprises either anelectronic fold command signal commanding deployment of the seat backinto the folded position, or an electronic upright command signalcommanding deployment of the seat back into the upright position. In thecase where the command signal comprises the fold command signal, theactuating step comprises the steps of commanding the power latchactuator to release the mechanical seat latch, and commanding the powerseat recliner to rotate the seat back portion into the folded position.In the case where the command signal comprises the upright commandsignal, the actuating step comprises the steps of commanding the powerseat recliner to rotate the seat back into the upright position andcommanding the power latch actuator to cinch the mechanical seat latch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciatedas the same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a power folding seat according tothe present invention disposed within an automobile, depicting the seatcushion, the seat back portion, and the power actuator, including thepower seat recliner, the latch assembly, and the power head restraintadjuster;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the power seat recliner, thelatch assembly, the power head restraint adjuster and the signalreceiver of the control system of the power actuator;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the power seat recliner, depictingthe electric motor and the gear train;

[0017]FIG. 4 is side plan view of the power seat recliner depicting thefinal gear element of the gear train shown in FIG. 3; and

[0018]FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the power seat recliner,depicting the final gear element shown in FIG. 4 and the keyed pin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, a power folding seat according to thepresent invention is shown at 100 disposed within an automobile. Thepower folding seat 100 comprises a seat cushion 102 and a seat back 104.The seat back 104 has a base which is disposed above the seat cushion102 and is pivotally coupled at its base to the seat cushion 102 toallow the seat back portion 104 to rotate about its base between anupright position and a folded position overlying the seat cushion 102 asshown in phantom. The seat back 104 preferably also includes anadjustable head restraint 106 which is vertically movable between anextended position and a retracted position.

[0020] Consistent with conventional seat back, the seat back 104comprises a frame structure 108 (see FIG. 3), foam padding, and a fabriccover enclosing the frame 108 and the foam padding. In contrast toconventional seat back portions, the seat back portion 104 also includesa power actuator 110 disposed between frame members 108.

[0021] As will be discussed below, the power actuator 110 is configuredto rotate the seat back 104 between the upright position and the foldedposition. However, as the power actuator 110 is disposed within the seatback 104, the power folding seat 100 can be easily installed into anautomobile without occupying space assigned to other automobilecomponents.

[0022] Although illustrated as a single seat, it is apparent to those inthe art that a bench style seat with a single or multiple seat back(commonly 60/40 seat backs) may also incorporate the present invention.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the power actuator 110 includes apower seat recliner 112, a latch assembly 114, a power head restraintadjuster 116, and a control system 118 operatively coupled to the powerseat recliner 112, the latch assembly 114 and the power head restraintadjuster 116.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the power seat recliner 112 is disposedadjacent the base of the seat back 104, and includes a prime mover 120and a gear train 122. The prime mover 120 is secured to one of the framemembers 108 of the seat back 104. Further, preferably the prime mover120 comprises a DC electric motor powered by the electrical system ofthe automobile, however other forms of prime movers, such ashydraulically-actuated systems, may also be employed.

[0025] The gear train 122 is mechanically coupled between the primemover 120 and a fixed pivot point secured to the automobile body. Asshown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gear train 122 includes a number ofintermediate gears 124 each having gear teeth engaging the gear teeth ofat least one other intermediate gear 124 of the gear train 122. The geartrain 122 also includes a final sector gear 126 having gear teeth whichengages the gear teeth of one of the intermediate gears 124. The finalgear 126 includes a keyed aperture 128, proximate to the base of theseat back 104, which is configured to receive a similarly-keyed pivotpin therein 130. The pivot pin 130 is fixed to the automobile body andengages the keyed aperture 128. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the keyedaperture 128 has a substantially square transverse cross-section and, ofcourse, the pivot pin 130 has a corresponding shape. However, it will beapparent that other shapes for the keyed aperture 128 and the pivot pin130 may be used.

[0026] Since the pivot pin 130 is secured to the automobile body, thepivot pin 130 prevents, the final gear 126 from rotating relative to theautomobile. Consequently, when the prime mover 120 is active and isdriving the gear train 122, the seat back 104 is forced to pivot aboutits base and about the pivot pin 130. As will be apparent, the seat back104 will rotate into the upright position when the prime mover 120 iscommanded to rotate in one direction, and will rotate into the foldedposition when the prime mover 120 is commanded to rotate in the oppositedirection. This allows any forces exerted on the seat back 104 to betransferred through the gear train 122 to the pivot pin 130 andstructural body of the vehicle thereby reducing structure and weight inthe seat 100.

[0027] The latch assembly 114 of the power actuator 110 is shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. As shown, the latch assembly 114 includes a mechanicalseat latch 132, a power latch actuator 134 mechanically coupled to themechanical seat latch 132, and a latching post or striker 136 secured tothe automobile. The mechanical seat latch 132 and the power latchactuator 134 are both disposed within the seat back 104 adjacent theupper end of the seat back 104. The mechanical seat latch 132 is of thetype commonly found in automobiles and preferably comprises aspring-actuated latch mechanism and a release pawl. The mechanical seatlatch 132 is configured to cinch the striker 136 when the striker 136engages the mechanical seat latch 132, and to release the striker 136upon command from the power latch actuator 134.

[0028] The power latch actuator 134 is mechanically coupled to therelease pawl of the mechanical seat latch 132. Preferably, the powerlatch actuator 134 is powered by the electrical system of theautomobile, and comprises a standard DC actuator, however in onevariation the power latch actuator 134 comprises a cinching actuator.Further, it should be understood that although the power latch actuator134 is preferably electrically powered, other power sources may also beemployed.

[0029] As discussed above, the power latch actuator 134 is coupled tothe release pawl of the mechanical seat latch 132. Consequently, whenthe power latch actuator 134 is activated, the release pawl is rotatedaway from the spring-actuated latch mechanism, thereby causing themechanical seat latch 132 to release the latching post 136 and to allowthe seat back 104 to be rotated from the upright position to the foldedposition via the power seat recliner 112, as described above. However,when the power latch actuator 134 is deactivated, the release pawl isallowed to rotate into engagement with the spring-actuated latchmechanism. Consequently, when the power latch actuator 134 isdeactivated and the power seat recliner 112 is commanded to rotate theseat back 104 into the upright position, the mechanical seat latch 132cinches the latching post 136 when the seat back 104 reaches the uprightposition, thereby securing the seat back 104 in the upright position tothe automobile.

[0030] As discussed above, preferably the seat back 104 includes a headrestraint 106. The head restraint 106 is vertically movable between anextended position and a retracted position, and includes a head cushion138 and a vertically-extending rack gear 140. The rack gear 140 isconnected to the head cushion 138, and is disposed within the seat back104 adjacent the upper end of the seat back 104. The power headrestraint adjuster 116 of the power actuator 110 is also disposed withinthe seat back 104 adjacent the upper end of the seat back 104, and ismechanically coupled to the rack gear 140.

[0031] The power head restraint adjuster 116 comprises a prime mover 142and a pinion 144. Preferably, the prime mover 142 comprises a DCelectric motor powered by the electrical system of the automobile,however other forms of prime movers may also be employed. The pinion 144is mechanically coupled between the prime mover 142 and the rack gear140 of the head restraint 106 for moving the head cushion 138 verticallybetween the extended position and the retracted position as the primemover 142 rotates.

[0032] The control system 118 of the power actuator 110 is shown in FIG.2 and includes a signal receiver 146, a position sensor 148, anon-contact sensor 149 and a data processor 150 in communication withthe prime mover 120 of the power seat recliner 112, the power latchactuator 134 of the latch assembly 114, the prime mover 142 of the powerhead restraint adjuster 116, the signal receiver 146, and the positionsensor 148. The data processor 150 comprises an electronic memory 152and a central processing unit 154 electrically coupled to the electronicmemory 152.

[0033] Preferably, the operator of the automobile is provided with awireless-enabled key fob, and the signal receiver 146 comprises awireless signal receiver which is configured to receive user commandsignals from the wireless-enabled key fob. However, preferably theautomobile is fitted with electronic switches, and the signal receiver146 also comprises a wired signal receiver which is configured toreceive user command signals from the automobile switches. Typically,the remote user commands comprises either a “fold command” signal whichcommands deployment of the seat back 104 into the folded position, or an“upright command” signal commanding deployment of the seat back 104 intothe upright position.

[0034] Preferably, the control system 118 actuates the prime mover 120of the power seat recliner 112 by transmitting electronic pulses to theprime mover 120, and the position sensor 148 comprises an electroniccounter coupled to the prime mover 120 which counts the transmittedtiming pulses. In this manner, the position sensor 148 is able toprovide the data processor 150 with information identifying the angularposition of the seat back 104. Alternately, in one variation, a pressuresensor 151 is located within the seat cushion 102 which signals the dataprocessor 152 when the seat is occupied, responsively sending a signalto the CPU 154 to prevent the seat from being driven. Other forms ofposition sensors, such as capacitive sensors and electrical loadsensors, may also be employed.

[0035] The non-contact sensor 149 is mounted within the seat back 104.Sensor 149 is preferably a capacitive sensor capable of detecting anobstacle in a non-contacting manner. If an obstacle is in the path oftravel of the seat back 104, a signal is generated and sent to the CPU154 to discontinue movement thereof.

[0036] The electronic memory 152 includes processing instructions forthe data processor 150, which causes the data processor 150 of the poweractuator 110 to operate in the following manner. Upon receipt at thesignal receiver 146 of a “fold command” signal, the data processor 150actuates the power latch actuator 134, thereby commanding the mechanicalseat latch 132 to release the latching post 136. The data processor 150then provides the power seat recliner 112 with an appropriatedirectional signal, thereby causing the power seat recliner 112 torotate the seat back portion 104 from the upright position into thefolded position. The data processor 150 also deactivates the power latchactuator 134, and provides the power head restraint adjuster 116 with anappropriate directional signal, causing the head cushion 138 to movevertically from the extended position to the retracted position.

[0037] When the position sensor 148 signals the data processor 150 thatthe seat back 104 has reached the fully declined position, the dataprocessor 150 removes the directional signal from the power seatrecliner 112, thereby terminating further movement of the seat backportion 104.

[0038] On the other hand, upon receipt at the signal receiver 146 of an“upright command” signal, the data processor 150 provides the power seatrecliner 112 with an appropriate directional signal, thereby causing thepower seat recliner 112 to rotate the seat back 104 from the foldedposition into the upright position. The data processor 150 also providesthe power head restraint adjuster 116 with an appropriate directionalsignal, causing the head cushion 138 to move vertically from theretracted position to the extended position.

[0039] When the position sensor 148 signals the data processor 150 thatthe seat back portion 104 has reached the fully upright position, thedata processor 150 removes the directional signal from the power seatrecliner 112 thereby terminating further movement of the seat back 104.At this point, the mechanical seat latch 132 cinches the latching post136, thereby securing the seat back 104 in the unright position to theautomobile.

[0040] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, andit is to be understood that the terminology which has been used isintended to be in the nature of words of description rather thanlimitations. Many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced other than as specifically described.

What is claimed:
 1. A power folding seat for use in an automotivevehicle, said seat comprising: a seat cushion mountable to the vehicle;a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion; and a power actuatordisposed within the seat back for automatically rotating the seat backbetween an upright position and a folded position overlying said seatcushion, said power actuator including a prime mover supported by saidseat back for powering said seat back between said upright and foldedpositions, a fixed gear retained by the vehicle in fixed relation tosaid seat back, and a gear train coupled between said prime mover andsaid fixed gear for rotating said seat back between said upright andfolded position in response to power actuation of said prime mover. 2.The power folding seat according to claim 1, wherein said power actuatorincludes a power seat recliner for rotating said seat back between saidupright and folded positions, a latch assembly for selectively lockingsaid seat back in said upright position, and a control system coupled tosaid power seat recliner and the latch assembly for selectively andautomatically unlocking said latch assembly and seat back from saidupright position and rotating said seat back between said upright andfolded positions in response to a command signal received from a remotetransmitter.
 3. The power folding seat according to claim 2, furtherincluding a frame structure for supporting said power actuator in saidseat back and a fixed pivot pin on the vehicle for, retaining said fixedgear and forcing rotation of said seat back between said uprightposition and said folded position in response to power actuation of saidprime mover.
 4. The power folding seat according to claim 3, wherein thefixed pivot pin comprises a keyed pin, and said gear train is configuredto engage with said keyed pin to facilitate rotation of said seat backabout said keyed pin.
 5. The power folding seat according to claim 4,wherein said latch assembly comprises a mechanical seat latch forsecuring said seat back in said upright position to the vehicle, and apower latch actuator coupled to said mechanical seat latch andconfigured to manipulate the mechanical seat latch between a cinchedposition and a released position.
 6. The power folding seat according toclaim 5, wherein said seat back includes an adjustable head restraint,and said power actuator also includes a power head restraint adjuster,and said control system is coupled to said power head restraintadjuster.
 7. The power folding seat according to claim 6, wherein saidpower head restraint adjuster comprises a prime mover and a gear coupledbetween said prime mover and said head restraint for moving said headrestraint vertically between an extended position and a retractedposition.
 8. The power folding seat according to claim 2, wherein saidcontrol system includes a signal receiver configured to receive commandsfrom said remote transmitter, and a data processor coupled to saidsignal receiver and configured to operate said power seat recliner andsaid power latch actuator in response to said received commands.
 9. Thepower folding seat according to claim 8, wherein said signal receivercomprises a wireless signal receiver.
 10. A method for automaticallyrotating a seat back of an automotive vehicle power folding seat betweenan upright position and a folded position, the seat back being pivotallycoupled to the vehicle and including a power seat recliner for rotatingthe seat back between the upright position and the folded, a mechanicalseat latch for securing the seat back in the upright position, a powerlatch actuator configured to manipulate the mechanical seat latchbetween a cinched position and a released position, and a control systemcoupled to the power seat recliner and the power latch actuator, themethod comprising the steps of: receiving a remote user commandrequesting operation of the seat back; and actuating the power seatrecliner and the power latch actuator to rotate the seat back portionunder vehicle power in accordance with the received remote user command.11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the remote user commandscomprises at least one of an electronic fold command signal commandingdeployment of the seat back into the folded position, and an electronicupright command signal commanding deployment of the seat back into theupright position.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein thecommand signal comprises the fold command signal, and the actuating stepcomprises the steps of commanding the power latch actuator to releasethe mechanical seat latch, and commanding the power seat recliner torotate the seat back into the folded position.
 13. The method accordingto claim 12, wherein the seat back includes an adjustable headrestraint, and a power head restraint adjuster for moving the headrestraint vertically between an extended position and a retractedposition, and the actuating step comprises commanding the power latchactuator to move the head restraint to the retracted position prior tocommanding the power seat recliner to rotate the seat back.
 14. Themethod according to claim 11, wherein the command signal comprises theupright command signal, and the actuating step comprises the steps ofcommanding the power seat recliner to rotate the seat back into theupright position and commanding the power latch actuator to cinch themechanical seat latch.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein theseat back includes an adjustable head restraint, and a power headrestraint adjuster for moving the head restraint vertically between anextended position and a retracted position, and the actuating stepcomprises commanding the power latch actuator to move the head restraintto the retracted position after commanding the power seat recliner torotate the seat back.